The water-for all- initiative, founded by the former deputy president of the senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu has succeeded in birthing not fewer than Forty boreholes in Enugu-west Senatorial District.

UGAMATV learnt this during the second round of an inspectional tour around the community water projects in Ezeagu local government, a part of the Enugu west Senatorial District which the Senator represents in the Nigerian Senate.

The Water-for-all initiative was born out of the passion to make readily available Water and by extension other basic amenities for all and sundry in every community of Enugu-west Senatorial District.

Speaking about his motivation, Ekweremadu said, the vision is to rehabilitate every community in Enugu west Senatorial District to a 21st century acceptable standard.

“Our people are entitled to good roads, water and electricity, i have taken it as my responsiblity to ensure that these basic amenities are made readily available for them”, he said.

He reiterated that “Though we have not actualized every phase of our vision, but I am glad that we are making severe positive impact on our people, we only need your prayers to do more and represent you better”. 

THE DRILLING RIG

Right at Imama Obinagu in Iwollo town of Ezeagu local government area of Enugu, is a drilling rig.

We learnt that the rig was imported from turkey, three years ago, solely for the drilling of boreholes in communities of Enugu west Senatorial District.

Also, sited there is a yet to be completed borehole project. However, the setup, geophysical survey has been done in readiness for the drilling proper, said Engr. Ivoke.

As soon as the drilling of the Borehole commences, it is expected to be done in seven days.

In his comment, Ekweremadu expressed his utmost satisfaction over the job delivery.

No sooner than he envisaged the Water-for-all initiative, he started making plans for funding and allocation, however, given the extent of the district, he thought it right to make a purchase of a rig for the sole purpose of drilling boreholes in Enugu-west Senatorial District and by extension the whole Enugu state.

Moreso, in the next three years, he expects about 500 Borehole projects completed and in use.

Continuing, he said that this initiative is a form of support to the state government. Since, It is one of the state government’s vision to circulate water, this initiative only helps to save time and resources.

Again, he assured the public that no part of Enugu will be neglected, however, every community should exercise patience as the Borehole vision aims to accomodate every community in Enugu.

BOREHOLE PROJECT AT SPECIAL SCIENCE SCHOOL IWOLLO

Another borehole project of about 650fts is currently located at the Special Science school Iwollo.

The school compound houses two secondary schools and a convent, we learnt that the students, the reverend sisters as well as other neighbors of the school, had difficulty in locating water.

Sr. Mary Cecilia Njoku, (DDL) the mother superior of the convent and the principal of the school, had requested for water from Ekweremadu, during the commissioning of the very first water project in Ezeagu, two years ago. He had promised to site one of the Boreholes within the premises of the school.

In Fulfilment to that promise, a complete water source has been made available, bringing ease to the dwellers of the environment.

As at the time of the visit, the Sisters were test pumping the water, Foundations and Iron beams were already in place for the overhead tanks.

In appreciation, a pioneer student of the school, Hon. Mrs. Felicia Ikpeama, affirmed to the water difficultly as was obtainable in the school, but with this intervention, both students and teachers can access water within the premises.

WATER SOURCE PROJECT FOR ISHIOKWE AKAMA-OGHE

The indigenes of Ishiokwe Akama-Oghe of Ezeagu local government of Enugu has been thrown into jubilation, over a functioning Borehole located In their community.

As gathered during the inspection, Prof. Udodi, a good son of the community had approached Sen. Ekweremadu, with a water source proposal, during the commissioning of their community’s Electricity project.

He said that prior to the event, he realized that their hilltop community needed water, as such he contracted a colleague to carry out a geophysical survey, which showed that water was obtainable at an extensive depth of 650fts.

He then took the proposal to the Senator whom promised to grant their request, since unavailability of a known water source in their community was making living very hectic for the indigenes.

In that manner, he has fulfilled that promise as water has been piped down to villages from the location of the Borehole. After which, a biochemistry test was run on the water sample, it was inferred that no heavy chemicals were in the water, as such it is pure to drink.

Prof. Udodi in solidarity and support of the project promised to continually contribute towards the maintenance and constant functioning of this borehole.

BOREHOLE PROJECT AT IMAMA AKAMA-OGHE

The Imama Akama-Oghe community in was not left out of the ongoing community rehabilitation, as they benefitted from both the water and the road projects.

The Borehole project sited in the aforementioned community, has a calculated depth of 650fts, and is estimated to serve the whole community fully, with adequate power supply and maintenance.

The community stakeholders, which includes their elected traditional ruler, Igwe Imama Akama-Oghe, Member representing Ezeagu Constituency,  Hon. Chima Obieze, Former commissioner for youths and sports, Hon. Udodi, expressed their gratitude for this gesture attracted to their community.

They also, promised to continually contribute and maintain the amenity to guarantee its longevity.

Concluding the round of Inspection, Ekweremadu accepted the gratitude showered on him, stating that he only aims to ameliorate the life of his people by attracting, deserving basic amenities to them.

The massive community rehabilitation program has gone a long way to ease stress and extend the life span of the indigenous people of Enugu-west.

With the Water-for-all initiative, he expects to restore life and vitality to the people, given that water itself is life, and is interwoven with health, sanitation and every daily routine.

However, the inpection, he said is to strengthen accountability, also to ascertain the projects to be included in the envisaged 2021 budget.

Speaking on the work procedures and protocol, Engr. Ivoke, the leader of the team, Said that in the previous years, A lot of cases of vandalization and discredibility were recorded, due to usage of substandard materials, they soon devised a means to address those mishaps.

They came up with an idea to customize all their materials and equipment, as such eradicating any possibility of thievery and fraud, also they have chosen to employ direct labour, hence, with an optimal speed of work, by three years, no lesser that 500 Borehole projects will be installed and functioning.